Fractions

Fractions describe parts of a whole. In Key Stage 1, children are introduced to halves and quarters in Year 1, and extend to thirds and more complex fractions in Year 2.

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What This Topic Covers

• Year 1: Recognise, find and name a half (1/2) and a quarter (1/4) of an object, shape or quantity
• Year 2: Recognise and write 1/3, 1/4, 2/4 and 3/4 of lengths, shapes, sets of objects and quantities; understand that 1/2 = 2/4

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Year 1: Halves and Quarters

What is a Fraction?

A fraction describes an equal part of a whole. The key word is equal — the parts must be the same size.

A half (1/2):

+-----+-----+
|XXXXX|     |
|XXXXX|     |
+-----+-----+
1 out of 2 equal parts

A quarter (1/4):

+--+--+--+--+
|XX|  |  |  |
|XX|  |  |  |
+--+--+--+--+
1 out of 4 equal parts

A Half (1/2)

A half is 1 of 2 equal parts. The whole is divided into 2 equal pieces, and a half is one of those pieces.

Halves of shapes:

• Half of a square is one rectangle
• Half of a circle is a semicircle